IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH December 24, 2014 421 North Second Street Mankato, MN 56001 Volume 77, Number 68 - THE LIGHT THAT NO DARKNESS CAN OVER- COME - IMMANUEL BAND BELLS OPENING ANTHEM.. Angels Carol Have you heard the sound of the angel voices ringing out so sweetly, ringing out so clear? Have you seen the star shining out so brightly as a sign from God that Christ the Lord is here? Have you heard the news that they bring from heaven to the humble shepherds who have waited long? Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Hear the angels sing their joyful song. He has come in peace in the winter s stillness, like a gentle snowfall in the gentle night; He has come in joy like the sun at morning filling all the world with radiance and with light. He has come in love as the Child of Mary; in a simple stable we have seen His birth: Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Hear the angels singing, Peace on earth. He will bring new light to a world in darkness, like a bright star shining in the skies above; He will bring new hope to the waiting nations when He comes to reign in purity and love. Let the earth rejoice at the Savior s coming; let the heavens answer with a joyful morn: Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Hear the angels singing, Christ is born.
ENTRANCE HYMN O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come, ye, O come, ye, to Bethlehem! Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels; O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. The highest, most holy, Light of light eternal, born of a virgin, a mortal He comes; Son of the Father, now in flesh appearing! (Please stand.) Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; sing, all ye citizens of heav n above; glory to God in the Highest! Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be glory giv n; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! seated.) (Please be WELCOME... Preschool We welcome you in the name of Jesus Christ, our newborn Savior and King! Once again it s Christmas over all the earth and we join to tell of our dear Savior s birth. 2
LUKE 2:1-7... Grades 1 and 2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond ring love. O morning stars, together proclaim His holy birth, and praises sing to God the King and peace to all on earth. ALL: O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; Oh, come to us, abide with us, our Lord Immanuel! 3
LUKE 2:8-14... Grades 3 and 4 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men! Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o er the plains, and the mountains, in reply, echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heav nly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo! ENSEMBLE HYMN (melody line and words on page 14) ALL: Break forth, O beauteous heav nly light, and usher in the morning! You shepherds, shudder not in fright, but hear the angel s tidings: This Child, now weak in infancy, our confidence and joy shall be! The pow r of Satan breaking, our peace eternal making. 4
Break forth, O beauteous heav nly light and herald our salvation! This Infant is the God of might, our Hope and Expectation! He comes to earth with us to dwell. God is with us Immanuel! The night of darkness ending; our fallen race befriending. ANTIPHONAL HYMN (Please stand.) STUDENTS: While by my sheep I watched at night, glad tidings brought an angel bright. How great my joy! ALL: Great my joy! STUDENTS: Joy, joy, joy! ALL: Joy! Joy! Joy! STUDENTS: Praise we the Lord in heav n on high! ALL: Praise we the Lord in heav n on high! CONGREGATION: There shall be born, so he did say in Bethlehem, a Child today. How great my joy! STUDENTS: Great my joy! Joy! Joy! Joy! STUDENTS: Joy! Joy! Joy! Praise we the Lord in heav n on high! STUDENTS: Praise we the Lord in heav n on high! ALL: There shall a Child lie in a stall, This Child who shall redeem us all! How great our joy! MEN AND BOYS: Great our joy! Joy! Joy! Joy! WOMEN AND GIRLS: Joy! Joy! Joy! Praise we the Lord in heav n on high! PRAISE WE THE LORD IN HEAV N ON HIGH! (Please be seated.) 5
LUKE 2:15-20... Kindergarten So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head. The stars in the sky look down where He lay; the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes; I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. ALL: Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray; Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And take us to heaven to live with Thee there. CONGREGATIONAL CAROL Silent night! Holy night! All is calm! All is bright! Round yon virgin mother and Child; Holy Infant, so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. (Please stand.) Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar; Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ the Savior is born! 6
Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love s pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus, Lord at Thy birth. (Please be seated.) THE OFFERING LUKE 2: 22-35... Grades 5 and 6 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD ), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: Lord, now you are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word: for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all peoples. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will piece through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 7
O Light of ev ry nation, O Savior from above, drawn by Your Spirit s leading, we come with joy and love into Your holy temple and wait with rev rent mind as Simeon once had waited his God and Lord to find. Dear Lord, Your servants meet You in ev ry holy place where Your true Word has promised that we should see Your face. Today You still allow us who gather round You here in arms of faith to hold You as did that ancient seer. ALL: (melody line and words on page 15) Let us, O Lord, be faithful like Simeon to the end so that his prayer exultant may from our hearts ascend: O Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, I pray, since I have seen my Savior and here beheld His day. MATTHEW 2:1-12... Grades 7 and 8 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship him. When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: But you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel. Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me that I 8
may come and worship Him also. When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. We the kings of orient are, bearing gifts, we traverse afar; field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to your perfect Light. Born a King on Bethlehem s plain, gold I bring to crown Him again. King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign. Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a Deity nigh; Prayer and praising, all men raising; worship Him, God most high. Myrhh is mine, its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb. ALL: Glorious now, behold Him arise: King and God and Sacrifice! Heav n sings Alleluia! Alleluia! the earth replies. O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to your perfect Light. 9
10 SELECTED SCRIPTURES AND HYMNS Jesus Christ is the light of the world. The Light that no darkness can overcome. Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening, and the day is almost over. Let Your light scatter the darkness, and illumine Your Church. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. JOHN 1:1-4 GRADES 3 and 4 Christ, Mighty Savior For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the Spirit is all goodness, righteousness, and truth. EPHESIANS 5:8 GRADES 7 and 8 I want to walk as a child of the light; I want to follow Jesus; God set the stars to give light to the world; the star of my life is Jesus. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light. REVELATION 21:23 In Him there is no darkness at all; the night and the day are both alike; the Lamb is the light of the city of God; shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves, and was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. MATTHEW 17:1,2 KINDERGARTEN, GRADES 1 and 2 Fair is the sunshine, fair is the moonlight, bright the sparkling stars on high. Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer than all the angels in the sky. and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. Matthew 2:9,10 GRADES 5 and 6 Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, with glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So, led by light of a star so sweetly gleaming here came the wisemen from far eastern land. The King of Kings, once born in lowly manger, in all our trials came to be our Friend; He knows our need; our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend. 11
I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. JOHN 8:12 Lord, the light of Your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness shining. Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us; set us free by the truth You now bring us. Shine on me, shine on me. Shine, Jesus, shine! Fill this land with the Father s glory. Blaze, Spirit, blaze! Set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow! Flood the nations with grace and mercy. Send forth Your Word, Lord, and let there be light! CHRISTMAS PRAYER (Please stand.) Lord God, You make this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light, Your Son Jesus Christ. Grant that as we ponder the mysteries of our Savior here on earth, we may also come to know the fullness of His joys in heaven, through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. THE LORD S PRAYER THE BENEDICTION CLOSING HYMN Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. (Please be seated.) 12
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with th angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem! Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! Christ, by highest heav n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail th incarnate Deity! Pleased as Man with man to dwell; Jesus, our Immanuel! Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home; Oh, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart! Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Please join us for our Christmas Day Festival Service at 9:30 a.m. 13
WELCOME to Immanuel! All who worship with us tonight may feel free to speak with the Pastor after the service, or phone Pastor Nolting (387-7035), Pastor Eichstadt (344-0898) or the church office (345-3027) at your convenience.. 14
SERVING US THIS EVENING Immanuel Lutheran School students Immanuel Sunday School students Pastor Wayne C. Eichstadt Deacon Daniel Pfeiffer Christmas Eve Director: Michael Wheaton Accompanists: Lane Fischer, Anita Meyer, Bonnie Cornish Music Directors: Lane Fischer and Grace Schreyer Immanuel Lutheran Church Choir Immanuel School Band Immanuel Brass Pre-Service Pianists Sound: Larry Hartman Head Usher: Fred Friedrichs Assistant Usher: John Heinze 15
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS program cover photograph by Anthony Harris cover printing by Gale Bigbee, South Central College All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Angels Carol text and music by John Rutter. 1988 Oxford University Press (licensed to Hinshaw Music, Inc. All rights reserved. OneLicense.net License #A-710933 O Come, All Ye Faithful John Wade (1711-82) As Each Happy Christmas WIlhelm Hey (1837) O Little Town of Bethlehem text: Phillip Brooks (1935-93); tune: Lewis H. Redner (1831-1908) Angels We Have Heard on High French text (translated in 1862); French carol Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light text: Johann Rist (1607-1667) tr. John Troutbeck (1832-1899), alt. music: Johann Schop, (c.1590-1667), alt. arr. J. S. Bach While By My Sheep/How Great Our Joy! text :Friedrich von Spee (1625) music: Hugo Jungst (1853-1923) arranged by John Rutter Away in a Manger text verse 3: John T.McFarland (1857-1913) tune: James Murray Silent Night text: Franz Joseph Mohr (1792-1848); tune: Franz Xaver Grüber (1787-1863) O Light of Ev ry Nation text: Johann Franck, (1618-1677), abr., adapt.; tr. Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878), alt tune and setting: 2009 Linda Moeller. Used with permission. We the Kings of Orient Are text and tune by J.H. Hopkins (1820-91) Evening Prayer Service of Light from the Vespers liturgy Christ, Mighty Savior text: Mozarbic, 10th century; tr. Alan McDougal (1895-1964) and Anne LeCroy tr. The United Methodist Publishing House music: Richard Dirksen. Permisstion requested. I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light text and tune: Kathleen Thomerson 1970, 1975 Celebration. All rights reserved. OneLicense.net License #A-710933 Fair is the Sunshine (Beautful Savior) text: Gesangbuch, Munster, 1677; tr. Joseph A Seiss, (1823-1904) music: Silesian folk tune, 1842 Led By The Star (O Holy Night) text: John S. Dwight (1811-1893) music: Adolphe C. Adam (1803-1856) Shine, Jesus, Shine 1987 MakeWay Music All rights reserved. Permission requested. Prayer: God, You Made... Collect for Christmas Eve Hark: The Herald Angels Sing text: Charles Wesley (1707-1788); tune: Felix Mendelssohn (1909-1947) 16